Chamaecyparis plant named ‘SMNCLBF’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Chamaecyparis  cultivar named ‘SMNCLBF’ is disclosed, characterized by soft foliage with a blue tint. Plants have low maintenance requirements and are upright with branches occurring at strongly acute angles. The new cultivar is a  Chamaecyparis , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana.

Variety denomination: ‘SMNCLBF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of chance discovery by the inventor,Timothy Wood. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘SMNCLBF’,was selected as a naturally occurring branch mutation from an unnamed,unpatented Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. The novel variety was discovered ina poly-greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. during 2006.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interestingselection, first propagation of ‘SMNCLBF’ occurred by softwood cuttingsat a commercial nursery in Grand Haven, Mich. in 2010. The inventorcontinued controlled testing and propagation, assessing stability of theunique characteristics of this variety. Five generations have beenreproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMNCLBF’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SMNCLBF’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘SMNCLBF’ as a new and distinct Chamaecyparis cultivar:

-   -   1. Foliage with a blue tint.    -   2. Good container plant, having low maintenance requirements.    -   3. Soft texture.

PARENT COMPARISON

‘SMNCLBF’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to theparent, however, plants of ‘SMNCLBF’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. New cultivar has a softer texture; parent foliage is more        prickly.    -   2. The new cultivar has foliage with a blue tint not seen on the        parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘SMNCLBF’ can be compared to the commercial variety Chamaecyparislawsoniana ‘Oregon Blue’, unpatented. The varieties are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘SMNCLBF’ differ inthe following ways:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have more of an acute plant apex;        comparator is more columnar.    -   2. New cultivar is more compact; comparator is taller.    -   3. New cultivar has branches angled upwards; comparator's        branches are more outward and sweeping over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SMNCLBF’ in a 3 gallon container grown in Grand Haven,Mich. in a polyhouse.

Plants in FIG. 1 are approximately 2 years old.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of the foliage.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plant of the new variety at approximately 2 yearsold grown outdoors in Grand Haven, Mich. and exhibit the characteristicgrowth, having a more acute plant apex.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SMNCLBF’ plants grown in a poly greenhouseduring Summer, in Grand Haven, Mich. USA. The growing temperature rangedfrom 18° C. to 27° C. during the day and from 5° C. to 10° C. during thenight. General light conditions are natural sunlight. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘SMNCLBF’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typical method: Softwood cuttings.-   Time to initiate rooting: 120 days at approximately 10° C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: 180 days at approximately    10° C. to 13° C.-   Root description: Fibrous, both fine and fleshy roots present.    Moderately well branched. Colored light brown, not accurately    measured with an R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 2 years.-   Container size of plant described: 3 gallon.-   Growth habit: Upright evergreen tree. Slightly mounding in    juvenility, upright with maturity.-   Height: 81 cm in a 3 gallon pot.-   Plant spread: 33 cm in a 3 gallon pot.-   Typical growth rate: Moderate.-   Pinching required: Encourages branching.-   Branching characteristics:-   Angle: 0 to 10°.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 20.-   Length of lateral branches: 28 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 5 mm.-   Lateral branch shape: Round with overlapping scales.-   Branch orientation:    -   -   Immature.—Average range 15 to 25 degrees from center.        -   Mature.—Average range 15 to 35 degrees from center.-   Stem strength: Strong, flexible.-   Stem color: Partly Green 128C, and Grey Brown 199C.-   Internode length: 1 cm.-   Trunk bark:    -   -   Color.—Near RHS Brown N200B.        -   Texture.—Rough, sparsely scaly.

FOLIAGE

-   General description: Overlapping scales.-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape of blade.—Scale-like.        -   Average length.—2 mm.        -   Average width.—5 mm.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Foliage color.—Young foliage upper side: Green N138C, tinged            Green 133C. Young foliage under side: Green 139C. Mature            foliage upper side: Green N138A, tinged Green 133B. Mature            foliage under side: Green 139A.        -   Venation.—Not observable.        -   Fragrance.—Not observed.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility    observed.-   Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought.-   Temperature tolerance: −29 to 36 degree C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chamaecyparisplant named ‘SMNCLBF’ as herein illustrated and described.